Bioinformatician

UK Health Security Agency; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health security organization in London is looking for a Bioinformatician to develop and implement bioinformatics strategies within their Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory. The successful candidate will lead genomic analyses and provide expert technical support, working collaboratively with microbiologists and healthcare scientists. Ideal candidates will have experience in genomic data analysis and bioinformatics software. This role promotes an inclusive work culture and actively encourages applications from diverse groups.

Qualifications

• Lead bioinformatics analyses with a focus on bacterial genome sequences.
• Conduct genome analysis for evolutionary and antimicrobial resistance inquiries.
• Provide expert advice on bioinformatics methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis and interpretation of bacterial genomic sequences.
• Conduct whole and partial genome analyses.
• Monitor bioinformatics developments and their applications.

Skills

Genomic data analysis

Bioinformatics software troubleshooting

Epidemiological analysis

Technical advice on scientific solutions

Data quality audits

Education

Relevant degree in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Job description

This post is based within the Sexually Transmitted Infections Reference Laboratory at Colindale, part of the Bacteriology Reference Department within UKHSA's Science Group. STIRL provides national reference and surveillance services for bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), supporting diagnostic laboratories, clinicians, and public health teams. STIRL includes microbiologists, healthcare scientists, and bioinformaticians working collaboratively to deliver world‑class reference testing, surveillance, and outbreak support. STIRL provides specialised testing to detect, investigate, and characterise clinically important STIs and monitor antimicrobial resistance. Using established and innovative phenotypic and genotypic assays, STIRL assesses the susceptibility of STIs to treatments, supporting case management and national surveillance. It plays a key role in defining and investigating outbreaks, identifying diagnostic escape mutants, and providing guidance on STIs. The Bioinformatician will play a pivotal role in developing and implementing the bioinformatics and public health informatics strategy for STIRL. They will design and build analytical pipelines for genomic data from surveillance programmes, reference investigations, and research studies. The post holder will lead genomic analyses of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, and M. genitalium, support national surveillance programmes, and contribute to publications, reports, and outbreak investigations.,

• Lead the analysis and interpretation of bacterial genomic sequences within the remit of the Unit
• Conduct whole and partial genome analyses to address evolutionary, epidemiological, and antimicrobial resistance questions.
• Monitor developments in bioinformatics and assess their application to the Unit and the wider GRASP and MARS programmes
• Provide expert technical advice on bioinformatics approaches and scientific solutions
• Ensure the secure handling, storage, and retrieval of sensitive data
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues with bioinformatics software and pipelines

Information Technology

• Work with the Lead Bioinformatician, Unit Head, Technical Manager, and Quality teams to ensure the accuracy of laboratory information systems, contributing to data quality audits
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of IT and informatics developments relevant to UKHSA operations

Professional Development and Collaboration

• Identify and pursue professional development needs through the appraisal process and attend all mandatory training
• Collaborate closely with the Bioinformatics Unit, Reference Services, and the Central Sequencing Unit
• Liaise with UKHSA ICT and relevant internal and external stakeholders, including NHS, academic, and commercial partners
• Undertake other reasonable duties aligned with the evolving needs of the organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.